Surface Pro 3: everything you need to know about the June 20th launch

Friday, June 20th, is the day Microsoft will launch the Surface Pro 3 in the United States at your local Microsoft Store, Best Buy, and Staples. We’re going to touch on all the important aspects of this important launch day, so you know what to expect!

Microsoft unveiled the Surface Pro 3 at an event in New York last month and is the company’s third attempt at pushing forward its tablet business. From a look at its specifications, the device has made significant improvements over its previous generation Surface Pro 2.

The Surface Pro 3 features a 12-inch ClearType Full HD display (2160×1440), 800g in weight, and 9.1mm thin with its Magnesium casing. The RAM is dual-channel LPDDR3 and varies between 4GB and 8GB depending on how much you are willing to pay. The front-facing speakers are also Dolby Audio-enhanced. The device also features a 5MP and 1080p HD front and rear facing cameras, Bluetooth 4.0 low energy technology, and Wi-Fi 802.11ac/802.11 a/b/g/n. The device runs Windows 8.1 Pro.

The device also features the following ports: Full-size USB 3.0, microSD card reader, Headset jack, MiniDisplayPort, Cover port, and Charging port. The device has the following sensors: Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, and Magnetometer. The device comes with a 36W power supply (including 5W USB for accessory charging). Battery life is up to nine hours (web browsing). The N-trig pen features 256 levels of pressure sensitivity.

Pricing of the device is as follows. The Intel Core i3, 64 GB, and 4 GB of RAM option runs for $799; Intel Core i5, 128 GB, and 4 GB of RAM option runs for $999; Intel Core i5, 256 GB, and 8 GB of RAM option runs for $1,299; Intel Core i7, 256 GB, and 8 GB of RAM option runs for $1,549; and the Intel Core i7, 512 GB and 8 GB of RAM option runs for $1,949. As of right now, only the Core i5 models will be available. Microsoft is expected to roll out the rest of the models in August.

In celebration of the launch day, Microsoft is hosting launch day festivities at every Microsoft Store location in the US and Canada. There will be VIP white-glove pre-order pickups, which is actually a cool way to receive your device if you pre-ordered it online. There will also be giveaways, music, food and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to win dozens of giveaways and prizes, including a family vacation to Honolulu, Hawaii, for four. These festivities begin as soon as the Microsoft Store opens on Friday, June 20th.

When you snag your new Surface Pro 3, head over to Windows Update to snag an update that addresses some power-related issues, in addition to enhancements to boost the performance of the device. Microsoft has also corrected the issue with the home button being accidentally activated by the palm. This update rolled out one day before the device’s official launch, so consumers can snag it immediately once they boot up their device for the first time.

You can check out a detailed hands-on review of the Surface Pro 3 here. You can also watch the first TV commercial of the device via the embedded video below, in which Microsoft is touting the Surface Pro 3 as a tablet that can replace your laptop.

Are you planning on snagging your very own Surface Pro 3 on June 20th? Let us know in the comments below and tell us about your experience!